Photo by Mike Longo Jr.
Chargers Ethan Davis grabs a pass for a touchdown against Fort Cherry.-OLSH-
By Mike Longo Jr.
Following last year's WPIAL Championship loss to Bishop Canevin, the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers seem to be returning to dominance.
This time, however, with a new face at the helm. Mainstay, former Head Coach Dan Bradley resigned, leaving a huge void in the program that he built. Bradley had such an impact on the Chargers program that it took the powers that be at OLSH almost two months to name a replacement.
That search ended with the hiring of former Robert Morris University Assistant Coach Donnie Militzer. Having a great football mind both offensively and defensively, as he demonstrated at RMU, Militzer seemed like the perfect fit.
He knew it would be after his first meeting with this year’s squad. They have responded nicely as they remain undefeated with their latest drubbing of opponent Fort Cherry 40-24.
Militzer inherited a group that this season has seven seniors and 12 juniors all with past playing experience.
OLSH is a talent-laden team on both sides of the football with statistics to back that up. To date, the Chargers have outscored their opponents 175-59. The only true test of any consequence was their 16-8 win over Rochester.
Fort Cherry was the latest victim of the season as OLSH raced out to a 14-6 first-quarter lead when it ended. Chargers Quarterback Nehemiah Azeem connected on an 85-yard catch and run to Ziggy McIntosh to open the scoring. It was Ethan Davis getting his turn next as Azeem hit the speedy receiver in stride for a 37-yard touchdown strike and a 14-0 lead.
Scoring twice in the second stanza, OLSH built a 27-6 lead at intermission. The Chargers would only cross the goal line once in the third quarter, while allowing Fort Cherry to add two scores as they maintained a 33-18 cushion at the end of the quarter.
Each team exchanged scores in the final stanza as OLSH cruised to a 16-point margin of victory while their season record remains unblemished.
Junior Runningback Brandon Brazell scored a pair of touchdowns on one-yard runs.
Seems as if Coach Militzer is making the most of his first season in charge not only in motivation but with the results he is achieving both on and off the turf.